战略与国际研究中心-DHS-20_35页_641kb

DHS 2.0: Rethinking the Department of Homeland Security

Core Content

This report, published in December 2004, evaluates the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and presents a comprehensive set of recommendations for its reorganization. The task force, composed of experts from academia, research centers, the private sector, and congressional staff, was established to assess the effectiveness of DHS in fulfilling its mandate under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which focuses on preventing terrorist attacks, reducing vulnerability, and minimizing damage and aiding recovery from attacks.

The report outlines four key areas for evaluation: management, roles and missions, authorities, and resources. It argues that the current structure of DHS is inefficient, lacks strategic vision, and is not well-equipped to handle the evolving nature of 21st-century security threats.

Main Findings and Recommendations

I. Management

Findings

• DHS is a complex merger of multiple agencies with no pre-existing senior management team.
• The department faces significant management challenges, including bureaucratic layers and lack of coordination.
• The Undersecretary for Management adds unnecessary bureaucracy, and other key officials lack effective department-wide authority.
• There is a need for a unified policy planning staff to guide strategic policy development.

Recommendations

• The Deputy Secretary should be granted powers similar to a Chief Operating Officer (COO) and this role should be codified.
• Strengthen the management directorate by moving responsibilities to the Deputy Secretary or having CFO, CIO, and CPO report directly to the Secretary.
• Establish clear policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the CFO Act and the Clinger-Cohen Act.
• Create a unified policy planning staff under an Undersecretary for Policy, who would report directly to the Secretary.

II. Roles and Missions

Findings

• The original consolidation of agencies into DHS aimed to improve coordination but has not fully succeeded.
• The department lacks a cohesive strategy for policy formulation and implementation.
• There is a need for a more robust framework to integrate operations across different agencies and with non-federal entities.

Recommendations

• Establish a unified policy planning staff under an Undersecretary for Policy.
• Develop long-range strategic planning and "what if" scenario-based planning.
• Prepare critical strategic documents such as a national strategy for preventing terrorist entry.
• Conduct program analysis and net assessments to align with overall DHS priorities.
• Create an aggressive recruitment program to attract talent from the private sector.
• Develop a manpower "float" for long-term education and training programs.

III. Authorities

Findings

• There is a lack of clarity in the legal authorities and national leadership roles for bio-defense, cyberdefense, and critical infrastructure protection.
• The Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) is inadequate and fails to provide actionable information to state and local governments and the private sector.

Recommendations

• Clarify and strengthen authorities for critical missions.
• Enhance the HSAS by introducing regional alerts and industry-specific warnings.
• Establish performance standards based on capabilities for state and local preparedness and response.

IV. Resources

Findings

• The department struggles with efficient resource allocation and response to catastrophic terrorism.
• There is a need for a risk-based mechanism to allocate resources and grants effectively.

Recommendations

• Rationalize government spending by implementing a risk-based resource allocation system.
• Develop "response packages" to ensure preparedness for catastrophic terrorism.
• Create a nonpartisan commission to review the performance of DHS and propose a comprehensive reorganization plan within six months.

Next Steps

• The 109th Congress should consolidate oversight and establish permanent committees in the House and Senate.
• A nonpartisan commission should be formed to evaluate the department's performance and propose a reorganization plan.
• Congress should develop and pass a reorganization bill in the next session.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes that DHS must be reformed to become a more effective and efficient national security instrument. It calls for a significant reorganization to enhance leadership, streamline operations, clarify authorities, and improve resource allocation. The recommendations aim to empower the Secretary of Homeland Security and ensure that the department is better prepared to face the challenges of transnational terrorism in the 21st century.